"Be intent upon the perfection of the present day"

William Law’s exhortation to “be intent upon the perfection of the present day” serves as a profound guide for living with depth, purpose, and mindfulness. He directs attention away from the temptations of dwelling on the past or anxiously projecting into the future. Instead, the focus is on the immediate, the now, those hours and moments inhabiting the current day. Law’s use of "intent" suggests not a passive appreciation but an active, deliberate engagement with daily life, a call to be fully present and invested.

Perfection of the present day does not imply unattainable flawlessness. Rather, it suggests striving to bring consciousness, virtue, and effort to each passing moment. There is a recognition that every day offers new opportunities, a canvas to cultivate patience, kindness, and diligence no matter how small the circumstance. Law’s words point toward a disciplined kind of mindfulness: rather than being distracted or half-hearted, pour energy and care into duties and relationships that unfold today.

Within this framework, worries about future outcomes or regrets over past mistakes recede, replaced by an appreciation of the unique potential held in each day's unfolding. Purpose and meaning are not deferred; they are located in the actions, decisions, and attitudes possible right now. Law’s wisdom is particularly resonant in an age marked by hurry and fragmentation, where attention is easily scattered by endless distractions.

By advocating an intent focus on perfecting the present, Law encourages a life of integrity. His words invite the cultivation of gratitude for today’s gifts, responsibility for today’s actions, and joy in daily achievements, however modest. This mindset transforms ordinary routines and encounters into sacred opportunities, urging each person to imbue the present with their best effort and truest self, trusting that the accumulation of such days leads to a life of genuine fulfillment and meaning.